Trapping Supply Stores

[Brian Bildson]

So I get where you're coming from, but again the mortage is already being funded, so it's not a someday thing. The value you've stated is the appraised value I believe and does not reflect the mortgage balance. Under your scenario we'd be absorbing the expense of renting plus handed $200,000 back.

The building was not jumped into. In fact the exec kind of drove us crazy doing their due-dilligence. It took over a year to finalize the plans and get rolling and it was done in a planned fashion, not ad-hoc. The fly in the ointment perhaps was so not so cooperative ATA staff member who no longer is employed there.

Again my personal opinion, but the store has already been in place for decades so this is sure a long running experiment. Back in the day having a trappers supply in-house was a good thing I'm sure but now I don't see the need. Also it is the one area where cash business is done which can present challenges.

I'm cool with the store if that's what members want and I hope all the supporters get out and buy their stock from ATA. But if iut doesn't pull its own weight it should be gone as it'll be taking funds from other areas.

Thanks for some interesting dialouge 101 / Doug . It's great to hear others ideas.

[outdoorsmen101]

I agree with some of what you are saying Brian. If funding is looking after the mortgage, (I haven't seen the business plan going forward or where the funding is coming from) then with the $80,000.00 plus this funding coming in, rent, especially I'm sure in Westlock would have been a miniscule amount of the total money collected throughout the year. This would have given Executives, Directors and the MEMBERSHIP some time to decide the best route forward. The $200,000.00 gift certainly was very generous, but perhaps the Association wasn't in the position to fund the balance in a diigent manner. By that I mean a mortgage was entered into by the Association without membership consent as per the requirement in the bylaws of the Association.

I would assume that grant money available from the ACA, grants from the MSL proceeds or a portion of the MOU money from ASRD could have been portioned off to cover this rent as the Trapper Education Program does require office space etc. to work from. This is of course if no store was in operation.

It would be a good thing for Members to know what the time frame is for the mortgage repayment and to be able to see a business plan into the future. I think this would shut down any speculation and as you say mis-information that spawns uneducated rumours.

That being said I really do hope the building and the ATA will be a viable Association now and into the future. It seems to have been a very rocky couple years and there are important issues to work through.

[Brian Bildson]

I'm very confident that the ATA will be around for a long time. But folks like yourself 101 who take the time to think things out are why I'm confident about that future. best wishes

[outdoorsmen101]

Originally Posted by Brian Bildson

I'm very confident that the ATA will be around for a long time. But folks like yourself 101 who take the time to think things out are why I'm confident about that future. best wishes

We can only hope eh Brian.

[KI-UTE]

Thanks Brian, you and the rest of the ATA Exec have done a very commendable job on all accounts in my books.

[Brian Bildson]

Appreciate the comments guys but just for clarity I'm not on the exec nor have I ever been. Proud to serve as our local president though.

[G_Godberson]

Just for the record I also support what Gordy has done for our association. He has almost single handedly given the ATA a high profile in government and also help make the fur industry more relevant. He doesnt back down from anyone - and this impresses me. His sacrifice in time and money is unbelievable.

It is much easier to bitch, snipe and grumble. Take a chance and be a volounteer, advance trapping in some way or attend a local meeting with an open (not closed!) mind. That is my challenge to you.

I support Trapper Gords and the ATA store, both of which seem to be doing quite well. Trapper Gords gets me supplies via bus in 24 to 48 hours. Some of the specialized equipment I cant source in Alberta, I get from Schmitts Enterprises. He also has good service, but watch your weights as postage can be a killer. The best Snare wire comes direct from Marty Senneker. Watch the cheap cables, much of it doesnt have the quality control a cable plant in North America has.

Brian - hats off to you and your commitment to the ATA.

[ratman]

Dam Beaver Trapping Supplies in Sask has lots of great deals. You can see them at www.dambeaver.ca

[northerntrapper]

Originally Posted by ratman

Dam Beaver Trapping Supplies in Sask has lots of great deals. You can see them at www.dambeaver.ca

Yup, thats the one I'm using now. Fast shippers.

[6mm rem]

Originally Posted by braggadoe

Well said! excellent post and PLEASE keep posting Brian.

x 2

[The Spruce]

This entire post should embarrass us as trappers. Brian should not have to stick out his neck to satisfy a few bad apples. If you don't like it, take the time to try and change it. Go to your local meetings and voice your opinion, become a member of the exceutive, make a difference. Growing very tired of the in-house fighting posted all the time. We will never survive if we don't hold back some words and support one another.

Back to the question....I buy what I can from ATA, a phone call will confirm supplies, shipping is fairly quick. I also use Gord's, Halfords, and FandT from down south. Good info here about Marty's product as well, I will have to give them a call for snares. Question, does Marty sell ready to go snares? I never have the time to build my own.

[6.5swedeforelk]

Got a Trappers Supply flyer in my NAFA mailout.

Thought I'd give them a try for info on upcoming wolf magnum power springs.

Impressive... clear answers, all supplies that I required were in stock.
Just heard from bus depot that order arrived.

403-725-2283
M. Senneker of Canadian Coyote co.
(Marilyn had all the trapping answers-think I'm in love!)